Names

Names represent true understanding and influence over something. Kvothe practices the skill of naming at the University. He can use the name of the wind to control this natural element. Rothfuss also establishes people’s names as important components of their identity, such as Denna’s name, the Lackless family name, and the name of Master Elodin’s class at the University.

Kvothe’s Lute

Kvothe’s lute is a symbol of Kvothe’s love for music and his view of the art form as a precious part of his identity. Kvothe feels nervous and heartbroken during the moments throughout the novel in which he does not have possession of his lute, including when Denna took his lute in order to size a new lute case for him and when he pawned his lute for 11 days at the start of his visit to Vintas. Kvothe experiences...